The DA has criticised the Gauteng Department of Health over the number of acting and vacant senior management positions at Thembisa Hospital, saying the prolonged vacancies could affect service delivery.

According to a written reply by Gauteng Health MEC Faith Mazibuko to a question submitted in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, the hospital’s chief executive officer (CEO), Dr Rianna Louw, has been serving in an acting capacity since mid-2024.

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The response indicates that the acting appointment has exceeded the prescribed six-month period due to what the department describes as austerity measures.

It also notes that Louw has the required qualifications and experience for the position and that no irregularities were identified regarding her appointment.

In addition to the acting CEO, several key management and clinical posts remain vacant and are currently being filled by delegated officials.

These include the nursing manager, finance manager, risk manager, manager of clinical support and therapeutic services, public health specialist, head of internal medicine, as well as heads of clinical units for internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, emergency medicine, ophthalmology, and radiology.

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Several nursing management positions are also being filled on a delegated basis, including those responsible for quality assurance, medical services, theatre, maternity, night supervision and specialist nursing services.

DA Gauteng spokesperson for Health Madeleine Hicklin said the continued reliance on acting appointments reflects a broader leadership challenge within the provincial health department.

“The DA condemns the culture of prolonged acting appointments at Thembisa Hospital and other health facilities in Gauteng.

“We call on Gauteng Department of Health MEC Faith Mazibuko to urgently appoint qualified hospital managers and heads of department in all critical departments,” said Hicklin.

She said the department’s explanation that austerity measures were responsible for the prolonged acting appointments was inadequate and argued that critical leadership positions should be prioritised.

According to the DA, Thembisa Hospital is one of 13 hospitals in Gauteng managed by acting chief executive officers.

The party also highlighted similar leadership vacancies at other provincial hospitals, including Pholosong, Sebokeng and Mamelodi hospitals.

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Hicklin argued that prolonged vacancies, together with centralised decision-making within the department, limit the ability of hospital management to respond quickly to operational and procurement challenges.

The DA has called on the Gauteng Department of Health to fill critical management and clinical vacancies with suitably qualified professionals and to strengthen decision-making at hospital level to improve service delivery.